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Russell’s career started with an injury setback (knee), but he rebounded with a vengeance. Brent used his competitiveness and agility to become one of the top defenders at the FCS level and a legitimate NFL prospect.

Russ Lande from National Football Post had this to say about Brent:

While Russell lacks the ideal size to overpower NFL offensive linemen, he has dominated with his strength at this lower level of football and needs to prove to NFL teams that he can play strong at the next level despite weighing less than 300 pounds. He plays with great intensity on every snap and scouts at this game will be interested to evaluate whether Russell’s initial quickness is good enough for him to be a consistently disruptive gap shooting force in the NFL as he often has been at Georgia Southern.

Overall Strengths
Powell has a unique amount of athleticism for his size at the position.
He's a high-motor, talented pass-rusher who just needs more pass-rush moves.
Against the run, he flows to the ball well and limits yardage effectively.
He's an excellent special teams player who can create turnovers and block kicks.Overall Weaknesses
Pass coverage isn't an asset for Powell, but that can be schemed around.
His tackling form is weak, but he delivers a good pop.
Hand usage could improve, which would allow Powell to be better all around.Draft Projection
While Ty Powell could go as high as the third round, he should be selected sometime in the third day. He will have multiple general managers fall in love with his physical talents and the way he can fit within a scheme.

2013 Appalachian State Pro Day: Jeremy Kimbrough, LB (5-9, 235 pounds) - Slated as a priority free agent after the 2013 NFL Draft, Kimbrough worked out as a linebacker and fullback. He posted a 4.56 40, a 9-foot-9 broad jump and completed 21 strength lifts.2012 SOCON CO-DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jeremy Kimbrough, Sr., LB, Appalachian State...Kimbrough leads the SoCon with 128 total tackles on the season, with 64 of those solo stops, and is second in the league with 11.6 tackles per game. He’s tied for fourth in the SoCon with 9.0 tackles for loss and is also among the league leaders in sacks with 3.5 on the season. Kimbrough also added a 36-yard interception on the year and had two games with at least 15 tackles, including a career-best 17 against Furman on Nov. 10. The Decatur, Ga., senior becomes the 10th Appalachian State player to earn the award since its introduction in 1989 and first since 2008.

With all the talk focused on Alabama’s Dee Milliner being the top cornerback in this year’s draft class, many have forgotten about the talented Demetrius McCray out of Appalachian State. Though McCray did not have a hand in his school’s historic upset of the Michigan Wolverines, he has been playing like the big man on campus these past two seasons.

Demetrius McCray has seen his popularity with NFL teams soar after turning in a stellar performance at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. McCray intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards, he broke up a pass, he forced a fumble, and made five solo tackles as his team, the National squad, posted a 34-0 victory against the American squad.

demetrius mccray 350x350In addition to being highly touted at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and receiving an invite to the NFL Combine, McCray is the first Mountaineer cornerback to lead the Southern Conference in interceptions with 4 in 2012 and 5 in 2011. McCray is also the team’s leader in passes defended (8), was sixth in tackles (55), and forced one fumble this season. McCray was also one of 20 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is presented to the nation’s top FCS defensive player.

One advantage that the small-school prospect has going for him is his size; McCray stands 6-foot1 inches. Bigger corners are being sought after by several teams, including the Seattle Seahawks. What Seattle’s defensive unit has been able to accomplish with lengthy corners has many offenses fearing throwing against the aptly named “Legion of Boom.”

The former Mountaineer product also has the ability to transition to Safety in the NFL, and even return kicks if a team has the need. McCray ran a 4.55 40-yard dash, which is decent for a defensive back responsible for covering wide outs with times sub-4.3 seconds.

The one knock on the talented corner will be his transition from the NCAA FCS Division, which is not as highly thought of as the NCAA BCS Division. Though small school candidates have and will continue to impress at the next level, certain teams have been known to take a pass on the “little guy” of the Combine.

Ultimately, McCray has the tools and athleticism to compete at the next level, though he will need a season or two to adjust to the more competitive NFL. Scouts currently have McCray as a day 3 selection, and even with a solid showing at the Combine, this has not changed. However, the one team that is willing to take an extended look at him will certainly like the instincts they see on film. With the right fit and the right defensive guru, McCray could become a household name in the next few seasons given the opportunity.

Northwestern State (LA) Pro Day: Players began Pro Day with scouts judging them on bench-presses as they lifted 225 pounds as many times as they could. White was surprised he was the top-bench presser after lifting 225 pounds 20 times. "I recently had wrist surgery at the end of my sophomore year and my max was lifting 225 pounds 14 times," said White, who received LSWA All-Louisiana Second Team Honors in 2012 and All Southland Conference second team honors in the 2010, '11 and '12 seasons. "My wrist is improving, but I'm definitely not trying to re-injure it."

White had a pedestrian 34 1/2-inch vertical jump. "I don't really practice verticals," he said. "As long as I know where the ball is on the field, trust me, I can get to the ball." His broad jump was 9.10 feet. "If you can't do a broad jump, then you shouldn't be playing football," White said with a grin on his face. "A broad jump can definitely help strengthen you legs." White was disappointed in both of his 40-yard dash times -- a 4.66 on his first attempt and 4.57 on his second attempt. "My best time on turf has been a 4.24. I just had an off day," he said. "I don't think the times will hurt me too much. My highlight tapes speak for me."

183. D.J. Hayden CB Houston 5'11" 191
*With his return from his life threatening illness and his workout 3days ago, I thought I needed to include him on this list.

Analysis
STRENGTHS: Fluid athlete with the agility and speed to effectively remain in the hip pocket of receivers. He breaks on the ball quickly and has shown natural ball skills, intercepting six passes in just 23 games, returning two of his four interceptions this past season for long touchdowns. Excellent top-end speed (clocked as low as 4.33 in the 40 at Houston's pro day). Combined with good height at 5-11, Hayden has the tools to develop into a true No. 1 corner. Excellent overall athlete who also boasts a 33.5-inch vertical jump and 10-foot broad jump.

WEAKNESSES: Hayden has been fully cleared by doctors, but a life-threating experience will still give some teams caution. Lacks much experience against elite competition and will have a significant learning curve in the NFL.

Injury History:
Hayden only has one injury on his chart, but it's a duesie. Hayden had a freak injury, where a major blood vessel in his chest was torn, almost costing him much more than a chance at the NFL. It is normally an injury only seen in auto accidents. "It's the most unique injury in the history of the draft," Packers senior executive Alonzo Highsmith said. "The only people that ever had it aren't alive and doctors have never seen it."
The injury is very difficult to get any read on due to the unique nature. So far, no doctors are willing to say that there is a major risk of recurrence on record, though the fact that Hayden is still healing from November surgery is definitely notable. Hayden is still not participating in drills and could not perform the bench press at his pro day.
Combining a blank slate of an injury history with one traumatic incident is often difficult, but the upside is that a team which feels the trauma is healed and non-recurrent should feel confident in his physicality. Combine/Pro Day:Hayden was not ready to perform at the NFL Scouting Combine, but did participate in the medical portions. He was able to put up a solid performance at his pro day, putting up good physical numbers, including a 4.4 40-yard dash. While the time was solid, Hayden only ran once due to a mild hamstring strain. His time off from the game makes that one a bit less concerning than most, especially considering his lack of previous issues with his legs.
Hayden is still healing from the November surgery that saved his life. In that surgery, his chest was cracked open, necessitating extra healing time not only for the repaired blood vessel, but time for his ribs and sternum to fully solidify. Hayden's medical care was overseen by Dr. Walt Lowe, the team physician for both the University of Houston and the Houston Rockets. Lowe is very well thought of and his involvement may help some teams increase their comfort level.Inside Look:
"That's an unusual injury. First, we'd of course look at the medical records, talk to the doctors involved and get a good look at the athlete. This would be treated somewhat like how we would deal with an injured spleen. With time off and the proper care, there's no reason to think this would be a long-term problem. Teams will just have to do their due diligence." - Dr. Neal ElAttracheDraft Status:
Mike Mayock of NFL.com made a late move, pushing Hayden above Dee Milliner and Xavier Rhodes at CB to his best-rated slot. That comes in contrast to Matt Miller's rating of a sixth-round pick status in his last mock draft, though Miller also agrees with the late shift, telling me that Hayden is now in his top 50. The injury is the major concern costing him from being considered with players like Milliner and Rhodes in the first round and well above someone like Tyrann Matthieu, who comes with a different set of risks. Pro Prognosis:
There is mixed thought on Hayden throughout the NFL. A one-off injury that is not likely to recur has to be considered, but his recovery is on track and there seems to be a shift to his prior results. A good pro day helped assuage some of the physical concerns and the medical side could get a look at the pace of his healing. While Hayden is not yet cleared for contact, he is expected to be ready for training camp. Once past this trauma, it is reasonable to expect that Hayden should continue his prior healthy ways in the pros.

184. Kejuan Riley FS/SS Alabama St. 6'0" 208* Conflicting reports, some say he is a FS and others say he is a SS. I guess it shows position flexibility.

2013 Alabama State Pro Day: “I think I did pretty good,” Riley said. “I didn’t do as good as I thought I would do, but I just have to keep working and keep pushing. I think I’m going to go somewhere else and do another one.”
The Wetumpka All-American spent more than a month training in Arizona and believed his workouts would prepare him for Monday, but said something was missing from his performance. “I think I had my technique there, I don’t know,” he said. “I guess I just didn’t hit it today.” Scouts from the Raiders, Texans, Bills, Bears, Jets, Falcons, Dolphins, Saints, Giants, Chiefs, Patriots, Seahawks and Colts were on hand with stopwatches to time the athletes.
Alabama State’s record-setting defensive back, Wetumpka High graduate Kejuan Riley has been invited and plans to play in the 88th East-West Shrine Game Jan. 19 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. Riley finished the 2012 season with four interceptions giving him 21 total for his career and making the school’s most prolific defensive back. He also set a school record with 348 interception return yards. This season he had 110 with a long return of 58.
Riley finished the 2012 season, in which the Hornets finished tied for first in the SWAC East, with 55 total tackles and 163 all purpose yards. He also had 12 passes defensed and one caused fumble. The East-West Shrine Game is scheduled for Jan. 19 at 3 p.m. CST and can be seen on the NFL Network.